Huskers Tab Brandenburgh Starter

Lance Brandenburgh has seen action in seven games this season, including the past six contests, while backing up Bo Ruud.

Photo by Scott Bruhn/Nebraska Communications

LINCOLN – The Nebraska football team continued its preparations leading up to the Dec. 28 Alamo Bowl matchup against Michigan Tuesday with a two-hour practice inside Cook Pavilion.

Defensive Coordinator Kevin Cosgrove addressed the media following the workout, mostly covering the topic of which Husker will replace injured WILL linebacker Bo Ruud, who suffered a broken arm during Sunday’s practice.

Cosgrove said that sophomore Lance Brandenburgh has been named the starter for the Alamo Bowl, while freshman Jeff Souder will move into the top backup position. Cosgrove said that Brandenburgh is more than capable of filling the starter’s role, as he challenged for the starting nod during fall camp before suffering an injury.

“We have been very fortunate that no matter what the situation was this year, our guys stepped up, and I fully expect Lance to do the same thing,” Cosgrove said. “Lance would have been in the mix from day one had he not been injured. He is a good football player.”

The Huskers should feel fortunate to be in a position where they can insert an athlete of Brandenburgh’s caliber into the starting lineup following an injury, Cosgrove said.

“We don’t have to worry about what we are doing, because we have a guy that has a lot of ability, has good football intelligence and is a physical guy that is very athletic,” Cosgrove said. “We are very fortunate to be in that position, considering I don’t think there are many schools in the country that lose three starting linebackers in one year and still have backups come in and give you what you need.”

In the event that NU needs to use a third-string player at the position, sophomore starting MIKE linebacker Corey McKeon will move over to WILL, and freshman Phillip Dillard will play in the middle. Cosgrove added that McKeon has the ability to play all three positions, if necessary.